Comprehensive Transit-Oriented Development Planning | Final Report Table of Contents
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AUGUST 2018 ii | Cover COMPREHENSIVE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING | FINAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PROJECT OVERVIEW 1 6. TOD DESIRABILITY AND READINESS ASSESSMENT 13 1.2. TOD Overview 2 6.1. Defining Desirability and Readiness for TOD at a Station Area 13 2. COMMUNITY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 3 7. PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY AND STRATEGIES 15 2.1. Overview 3 2.2. Workshop Series #1: March 2017 Stakeholder Workshops 3 7.1. Priority Infrastructure Investment Strategies 15 2.3. Workshop Series #2: June 2017 Focus Groups and Public 4 2.4. Workshop Series #3: October 2017 Public Workshops 4 8. FUNDING AND FINANCING MECHANISMS 20 3. CORRIDOR BASELINE ANALYSIS 5 8.1. Introduction 20 3.1. Study Corridor Overview 5 9. STATION AREA PLANS 21 4. MARKET ANALYSIS KEY FINDINGS & 9.1. Introduction 21 BENEFITS 7 9.2. Station Area Plans 21 9.3. DL&W 21 4.1. Introduction 7 9.4. Summer-Best 24 9.5. Utica 26 5. STATION AREA TOD TYPOLOGIES 11 9.6. LaSalle 28 9.7. Boulevard Mall 30 9.8. Audubon 33 Cover | iii FIGURES Figure 1. Study Corridor 5 Figure 8. LaSalle Station Area Illustrative Plan 30 Figure 2. DL&W Illustrative Plan 24 Figure 9. LaSalle Station Area Massing Concept 31 Figure 3. DL&W Station Area Massing Concept 25 Figure 10. Illustrative Plan 32 Figure 4. Summer-Best Station Area Illustrative Plan 26 Figure 11. Boulevard Mall Station Area Massing Concept 33 Figure 5. Summer-Best Station Area Massing Concept 27 Figure 12. Audubon Station Area Illustrative Plan 34 Figure 6. Utica Station Illustrative Plan 28 Figure 13. Audubon Station Area Massing Concept 35 Figure 7. Utica Station Area Massing Concept 29 iv | Cover COMPREHENSIVE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING | FINAL REPORT TABLES Table 1. Priority Infrastructure Policy and Strategies 16 Cover | v vi | Cover COMPREHENSIVE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING | FINAL REPORT 1. PROJECT OVERVIEW The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Board recently authorized moving forward with the extension of Metro Rail to enhance 1.1. PROJECT GOALS mobility and connectivity between key activity centers in Buffalo and The following goals set the stage for what the Comprehensive Transit- those located in the Northtowns. The authorization, based on technical Oriented Development Planning project should accomplish: results of an alternatives study and feedback from project committees and the public, proposes to extend Metro Rail from the existing terminus • Identify, measure, communicate, and enhance the economic and at University Station, extending under Bailey Avenue to a portal on Eggert community development potential and impact of Transit-Oriented Road where it would run at-grade on Niagara Falls Boulevard to Maple Development. Road to Sweet Home, onto UB North Campus to Audubon Parkway where • it would terminate near the I-990. Comprehensively plan for the transit-land use connection to ensure the proposed Amherst-Buffalo Corridor transit investment meets The Comprehensive Transit-Oriented Development Planning study the purpose and need of the Alternatives Analysis and the goals of demonstrates that the proposed transit investment will not only have the the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning grant ability to enhance mobility options for the community but also serve to received by NFTA. support broader social and economic goals by promoting Transit-Oriented • Delineate a comprehensive and innovative set of strategies; policy, Development (TOD). The study shows that the Metro Rail expansion not regulatory, and financial tools; and priority infrastructure projects that only enhances regional mobility, but is part of a larger regional investment strategy to leverage economic and community development opportunities reflect actual market demand and will significantly enhance TOD associated with transit investment. opportunities. • Increase public understanding and awareness of the benefits of TOD and actively engage citizen champions, leaders, developers, and other private sector stakeholders in the planning process. • Generate support for multi-modal, accessible, mixed-use development that supports transit investments and enables more sustainable forms of redevelopment within existing centers and nodes along proposed Amherst-Buffalo Corridor. • Assemble a Regional Transit-Oriented Development Committee capable of implementing recommendations of this planning effort beyond the completion of the study. Executive Summary | 1 1.2. TOD OVERVIEW 1.2.1. TOD PRINCIPLES Planning and implementing successful TOD involves decisions that directly Transit-Oriented Development, or TOD, aligns investment in transit with influence land use, public realm, multi-modal transportation, urban form, a region’s vision for growth and economic development. TOD promotes and overall performance as a place. There are seven basic principles the development of vibrant, walkable, mixed-use communities in and that define the essential characteristics of a successful TOD. While these around transit corridors and transit stations. The concept leverages principles should be applied to create transit-supportive environments public investment in transit to drive private investment in order to enrich around station areas, TOD must be customized to be compatible with a neighborhoods and drive regional smart and sustainable growth. An neighborhood’s character, the market strength for development, and the emphasis of TOD empowers communities to become dynamic places community’s aspirations for TOD. The principles for making a successful where people live, work, and play. The typical walkshed area around a TOD include: transit station is 1/4 mile and represents the distance most people are comfortable walking. • Medium to Higher Density Development TOD in the Buffalo-Niagara Region aligns the investment in Metro Rail and • Mix of Land Uses the Metro Rail extension to the Northtowns with the vision of numerous • Compact, High Quality Pedestrian Environment policies and plans, most notably One Region Forward, to promote smart, • Active & Vibrant Center sustainable growth, regional economic development strategy, and ready • the region to compete with other regions for population, employment, Multi-Modal Connectivity and tourism growth. • Limited, Managed Parking 2 | Executive Summary COMPREHENSIVE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING | FINAL REPORT 2. COMMUNITY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 2.1. OVERVIEW 2.2. WORKSHOP SERIES #1: MARCH 2017 A series of stakeholder and community workshops were held in 2017 STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOPS for various stages of the project (March, June and October) about Smart Growth Transit-Oriented Development along the Metro Rail line in the City OVERVIEW of Buffalo and the proposed Metro Rail extension to the Northtowns. The The first round of community workshops were held in March of 2017. Four multi-day workshops included presentations by the project team, followed workshop sessions were held throughout the day and evening of March 29, by interactive discussions among stakeholders. In addition to these 2017 at One Seneca Tower in Buffalo. The workshop was divided into four workshops, the project team attended meetings and shared information sessions, each tailored to a variety of interests and expertise. The schedule about the project with nine community organizations. Stakeholder input of events is noted below. was used to help develop strategies for Transit-Oriented Development along the project corridor. A final open house was held on August 29, 2018 • Development & Real Estate Session to present the Comprehensive TOD Planning vision that community and • State & Local Government Session stakeholder members helped develop. • Academic, Business, Housing & Transportation Session This chapter includes a summary of the stakeholder workshops and • Community Groups & Public Session information on other engagement efforts undertaken as part of the project. Executive Summary | 3 2.3. WORKSHOP SERIES #2: JUNE 2017 FOCUS GROUPS AND PUBLIC WORKSHOP OVERVIEW A second round of community workshops were held in June of 2017. Four workshop sessions were held throughout two days and one evening on June 28 and June 29 at the University of Buffalo’s Hayes Hall. The workshops were divided into four sessions, each tailored to a variety of interests and expertise, simialr to the first round of workshops. The schedule of events is 24 STATIONS IN 6 STATIONS noted below. THE CORRIDOR SELECTED FOR TOD PLAN • Development & Real Estate Session • State & Local Government Session • Academic, Business, Housing & Transportation Session • Public Workshop 2.4. WORKSHOP SERIES #3: OCTOBER 2017 PUBLIC WORKSHOPS MIXED-USE CENTER • Northtown Plaza • Boulevard Mall • Maple Ridge UNIVERSITY CAMPUS OVERVIEW • Sweet Home • University • Audubon • UB North Campus A third round of Transit-Oriented Development workshops were held • Dodge Road A on Tuesday, October 3 and Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at University at • UB North Campus B Buffalo’s Educational Opportunity Center and Weinberg Campus. • SUBURBAN Ellicott Complex NEIGHBORHOOD • Eggertsville URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD URBAN CAMPUS • Utica • Amherst Street • Allen/ Medical • LaSalle Campus • Summer - Best • Delavan/ Cansisius College URBAN CORE • Humboldt/ Hospital • Seneca • Church • Lafayette Square SPORTS & • Fountain Plaza ENTERTAINMENT • DL&W Terminal • Erie Canal Harbor 4 | Executive Summary COMPREHENSIVE TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLANNING | FINAL REPORT 3. CORRIDOR Figure 1. Study Corridor BASELINE ANALYSIS 3.1. STUDY CORRIDOR OVERVIEW